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}} Karl-Gottfried "Karlfried" Nordmann (22 November 1915 – 22 July 1982) was a German ''Luftwaffe'' pilot during World War II and, after the war, a president of Mercedes-Benz in North America. As a fighter ace he was credited with 78 enemy aircraft shot down in over 800 combat missions. He claimed the majority of his victories over the Eastern Front, with one during the Invasion of Poland and eight during the Battle of France and Britain. Born in Giessen, Nordmann volunteered for military service in the ''Luftwaffe'' of the Third Reich in 1936. Following flight training, he was posted to ''Jagdgeschwader'' 132 (JG 132—132nd Fighter Wing) in October 1938. After a series of redesignations his unit was subordinated to ''Jagdgeschwader'' 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing). He fought in the aerial battles over Poland, France and Britain, claiming nine victories. Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union in Operation ''Barbarossa'', he was appointed ''Gruppenkommandeur'' (group commander) of the IV. ''Gruppe'' (4th Group) of JG 51. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 1 August 1941 following his 31st aerial victory and received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves ((ドイツ語:Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub)) on 16 September 1941 after 59 victories. The Oak Leaves grades to the Knight's Cross was Germany's highest military decoration at the time of its presentation to Nordmann. Nordmann was appointed ''Geschwaderkommodore'' (Wing Commander) of JG 51, which he led for two years, on 10 April 1942. Injuries sustained in a midair collision on 17 January 1943 grounded him from further combat flying. He surrendered command of JG 51 on 1 April 1944 and was appointed ''Jagdfliegerführer Ostpreussen'' (fighter leader Eastern Prussia). Nordmann then served further fighter command positions with ''Jagdabschnittsführer'' 6 (leader of the 6th fighter sector) and the 1st Fighter Division, a position he held until the end of World War II. Following World War II, Nordmann joined Mercedes-Benz in sales. He worked as the president of Mercedes-Benz in North America and Canada from 1971 until shortly before his death in 1982. ==Early life and career== Nordmann was born on 22 November 1915 in Giessen, at the time in the Grand Duchy of Hesse of the German Empire. He was the son of a doctor and joined the military service of the Luftwaffe on 6 April 1936 as a ''Fahnenjunker'' (officer cadet). Nordmann was promoted to ''Leutnant'' (Second Lieutenant) on 1 January 1938 and served with 1. ''Staffel'' of ''Kampfgeschwader'' 253 from 1 March to 30 April 1938.〔Stockert 1996, p. 206.〕 He was then posted to the ''Jagdfliegerschule'' (Fighter Pilot School) at Werneuchen, under the command of ''Oberst'' (Colonel) Theodor Osterkamp.〔Flight training in the ''Luftwaffe'' progressed through the levels A1, A2 and B1, B2, referred to as A/B flight training. A training included theoretical and practical training in aerobatics, navigation, long-distance flights and dead-stick landings. The B courses included high-altitude flights, instrument flights, night landings and training to handle the aircraft in difficult situations.〕 Since July 1938, he served as a ''Staffeloffizier'' (squadron officer) with the ''Stab'' of I. ''Gruppe'' (1st group) of ''Jagdgeschwader'' 77 (JG 77—77th Fighter Wing), which later became IV./''Jagdgeschwader'' 51 (JG 51—51st Fighter Wing).〔Obermaier 1986, p. 47.〕 This unit underwent as a series of redesgnations which started with VI./''Jagdgeschwader'' 132 (JG 132—132nd Fighter Wing), was renamed on 2 November 1938 to I./''Jagdgeschwader'' 331 (JG 331—331st Fighter Wing).〔For an explanation of ''Luftwaffe'' unit designations, see Organisation of the ''Luftwaffe'' during World War II.〕 While based at Breslau-Schöngarten (currently called Copernicus Airport Wrocław), it was redesignated again, this time to I./JG 77 on 1 May 1939, which was later re-designated to IV./JG 51.〔Weal 2012, p. 33.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Karl-Gottfried Nordmann」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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